Mary Tavy Parish Cemetery Biodiversity Project
Visitors to our cemetery may have noticed a strip of black matting running along a section of the fence. Please see the attachment below to see what we’re up to.
Mary Tavy Parish Council & Biodiversity
Biodiversity – what does it mean I hear you say and why do you need to know? A definition from the Oxford dictionary says it is…
“the variety of all life on Earth, encompassing all the different plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems they form and the genetic differences within them”.
Also, under the 2021 Environment Act, Parish Councils must consider what they can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity,
so here at Mary Tavy we are now beavering away with plans to do this! In the spring, we plan to engage the community to help
with, bio-blitzes, planting and animal homes to name just a few of the projects we shall be starting.
We have a policy, that can be found on the website, where our aims and actions are set out. Hopefully, if you are reading it, you
will notice that some of our projects have already begun.
If you are interested in taking part in any of our projects, please
do look out on the website and social media for more information
on how to get involved!
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Cornonation Hall, Tuesday 11th November
Mary Tavy Parish Council’s next meeting is on Tuesday, November 11th at the Coronation Hall. The meeting begins at 7pm. Members of the public and press welcome. The agenda for the meeting will be on the Parish Council website and on the noticeboard outside the Post Office & Stores a minimum of 3 working days prior to the meeting.
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE: With the closure of the Reading Rooms, all future parish council meetings will be held at the Coronation Hall unless otherwise advised.
PLEASE ALSO NOTE that the planning application for the development of the Down’s Garage site will be discussed at this meeting and a decision taken on whether the parish council supports the application. The planning application can be found at: https://dartmoor-online.tascomi.com/planning/index.html…
Members of the public can comment on the application using this link and/or can attend the parish council meeting to give their views there.
Have your Say: Dartmoor National Park Partnership Plan 2021 – 2026
The Partnership Plan (also known as the management plan) brings together a range of organisations and individuals to consider and set the future goals that will help protect and conserve Dartmoor, allowing people to value and enjoy its special places.
The plan is a statutory document meaning, by law, it has to be produced. While we are responsible for guiding the plan’s preparation, review and delivery, the actions are shared by many. It is a plan for the National Park as a whole, not just the Authority. Like much of our work, it relies on co-operation, collaboration and a willingness to make transformative changes that benefit Dartmoor now and in the future.
Visit the Your Dartmoor site to view the Partnership Plan and the Vision for Dartmoor.
Partnership Plan Review
The Partnership Plan is undergoing a review, a process which started in late 2024 and is expected to last until early 2027.
In May 2025, a new Partnership Board was formally established and will be responsible for steering this vitally important work. Read more in our announcement.
Many people feel passionately about protecting our National Park and want to improve it. The review will include public consultation where people will be able to have their say on issues they feel are critical for Dartmoor’s future. We will keep you informed as we go.
Have your say
Help shape the future of Dartmoor National Park with the Partnership Plan Review public opinion survey
Partnership Board membership
Local authorities: Devon County Council, South Hams and Teignbridge District Councils, West Devon Borough Council.
Statutory organisations: Environment Agency, Natural England, Forestry Commission, Historic England.
Environment: Represented by the RSPB, Devon Wildlife Trust.
Charitable: Dartmoor Futures.
Access and recreation: Represented by South West Lakes Trust, British Mountaineering Council, Dartmoor Access Forum.
Farming, commoning and land use: Dartmoor Commoners Council, Dartmoor Hill Farm Project, Dartmoor Common Owners’ Association, Duchy of Cornwall, Ministry of Defence.
In preparation for the review an updated State of the Park report was produced. Both the 2017 and 2025 reports are available on the Your Dartmoor site.
Our ambition is to act as a powerful and effective enabler and advocate for Dartmoor National Park. Our Business Plan, which sets out what this means in practice, supports the delivery of the Partnership Plan. Learn more about our Business Plan.
Notice of Casual Vacancy Mary Tavy Parish Council
There is a vacancy for a councillor on Mary Tavy Parish Council. For more information please see the attachments or contact Amy Christie, Parish Clerk by email ()
How To Report Livestock In Danger Or Distress On Dartmoor
Please follow this link to report livestock in danger or distress on the Moor
Hedges & Ditches
Devon County Council has produced the attached information relating to responsibility for hedges, ditches, etc.
Staying Safe In Stormy Weather
The following advice has been issued by Devon Council Council:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/378cf6e
How To Report A Pothole On Roads In Devon
With winter not too far away it’s a good time to report any potholes that meet Devon County Council Highways Dept intervention criteria.
If a pothole is on a road maintained by Highways and is over 40mm deep, over 300mm wide and has a steep side then Highways should put it on their list for action. A full description of potholes that meet their criteria can be found at: https://www.devon.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/report-a-problem/report-a-pothole/
If you think a pothole meets these criteria you can report it at: https://www.devon.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/report-a-problem/map/map_src/poth/ . Once on this website, you can drag the map to centre over the area with the pothole and then zoom in until the map is expanded sufficiently to drop a “pin” at the location of the pothole. You will then be asked to provide details, including photos if available. By entering your contact details on the report, you will be kept up to date on the assessment and any action that is scheduled. Should you find the pothole has already been reported by someone else, you can still add your contact details & so be kept up to date on any actions.
SAFETY NOTE: PLEASE do not endanger yourself or other road users when gathering details of any pothole. It is better to estimate the size of a pothole from a safe location and report it without photos than to risk an accident, injury, or worse by being on an active highway.